Although choosing a career in child care has its rewards that you cannot put a price on, often the pay does not compensate for what is put into this challenging work. While preparing children for school, often the providers find themselves challenged to continue their own education. "We not only need to stay on top of all the requirements and licensing changes, but we need to always keep ourselves educated. We educate ourselves for the benefit of our business, but most importantly for the children.", says a local family child care provider.

The Compensation and Retention Incentives (CRI) program was designed to promote, encourage, and reward Early Family Child Care providers for their efforts in their chosen field. In doing so, a provider becomes eligible after working at a licensed facility or license exempt ( in process of getting licensed). Compensation is based on years in service, continued education through college courses with ECE units or offered training hours, and a minimum amount of weekly work hours. A provider is rewarded with a cash stipend according to their level of continued education, with additional awards given to participants who are educated in the area of special needs, infant and toddler care, and second language skills.

This year there was a total of 615 meeting and education hours attended by our local family child care providers and an average of 6 ECE units each taken by center teachers and staff.

Classes, workshops and trainings are offered all through the year through Del Norte Child Care Council in collaboration with outside agencies, universities, and local related businesses. Del Norte Child Care Council sponsored or co-facilitated over 940 hours of trainings this past fiscal year.

Way to go Del Norte County providers!! Congratulations to the following ladies for another successful year in the field of Early Child care:

Julie Adams-Loya, Susan Anderson, Kathy Beard, Manuela Carranza, Lourdes Chavez, Kim Geib, Antonia Herrera, Melinda Hinshaw, Mary Ann Fallman, Jamie Fernandes, Cynthia Ford, Vonda Fry, Sarah Johnson, Linda Kennedy, Sandra King, Jenni Loftin, Theresa McQuillen, Gloria Moreno de Ramirez, Melinda Neeley, Kristy Nolan, Juana Nunez, Barbara Price, Maricela Olivera, Emma Lopez Patino, Alejandra Pena, Nicole Richards, Joyce Ruvalcaba, Mona Sanders, Victoria Schoonover, Donna Smith, Jean Smith, Kathy Silva, Imelda Tomlinson, Cherry Villazana, & Talea Yowell.

We would also like to extend a big "Thank you" to our local First 5 Commissioners for supporting this exciting and rewarding opportunity! This project would not be possible without your effort and support!